Tag: Brandon Figueroa

Elijah Garcia, 19, knocks out Amilcar Vidal in fourth round of middleweight bout

Elijah Garcia, 19, knocked out Amilcar Vidal in the fourth round of a middleweight bout Saturday in Ontario, California

The teenager knows how to fight.

Middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia, 19, stopped Uruguayan contender Amilcar Vidal in the fourth round of a scheduled 10-round fight on the Brandon Figueroa-Mark Magsayo card Saturday in Ontario, California.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:17.

“This is what everybody dreams of right here,” Garcia said. “This ain’t like a surprise. This is what we’ve worked for since I turned pro. We’re going to keep going one step at a time.”

Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) turned pro at 16 in 2020 and won’t turn 20 until next month. However, he fights with unusual poise.

The Phoenix resident and Vidal engaged in a spirited back-and-forth fight, during which both men landed punishing blows. The first three rounds were so close they were difficult to score.

Then Garcia changed everything. He hurt Vidal with a right hook and followed with a flurry of hard, mostly accurate punches that put Vidal on the canvas.

Referee Jack Reiss quickly assessed Vidal’s condition and stopped the fight, giving Garcia by far the biggest victory in his career.

Garcia has said he wants to win a major world title by the age of 21. He took a significant step in that direction on national television Saturday night.

“I might become a champion before I’m 21 or 22,” he said. “I might be ahead of schedule.”

[lawrence-related id=36021,36017,36011]

Elijah Garcia, 19, knocks out Amilcar Vidal in fourth round of middleweight bout

Elijah Garcia, 19, knocked out Amilcar Vidal in the fourth round of a middleweight bout Saturday in Ontario, California

The teenager knows how to fight.

Middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia, 19, stopped Uruguayan contender Amilcar Vidal in the fourth round of a scheduled 10-round fight on the Brandon Figueroa-Mark Magsayo card Saturday in Ontario, California.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:17.

“This is what everybody dreams of right here,” Garcia said. “This ain’t like a surprise. This is what we’ve worked for since I turned pro. We’re going to keep going one step at a time.”

Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) turned pro at 16 in 2020 and won’t turn 20 until next month. However, he fights with unusual poise.

The Phoenix resident and Vidal engaged in a spirited back-and-forth fight, during which both men landed punishing blows. The first three rounds were so close they were difficult to score.

Then Garcia changed everything. He hurt Vidal with a right hook and followed with a flurry of hard, mostly accurate punches that put Vidal on the canvas.

Referee Jack Reiss quickly assessed Vidal’s condition and stopped the fight, giving Garcia by far the biggest victory in his career.

Garcia has said he wants to win a major world title by the age of 21. He took a significant step in that direction on national television Saturday night.

“I might become a champion before I’m 21 or 22,” he said. “I might be ahead of schedule.”

[lawrence-related id=36021,36017,36011]

Brandon Figueroa vs. Mark Magsayo: LIVE updates, results, full coverage

Brandon Figueroa vs. Mark Magsayo: LIVE updates, results and full coverage.

Brandon Figueroa defeated Mark Magsayo by a unanimous decision in a 12-round fight for the WBC’s “interim” 126-pound title Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

The official scores were 118-108, 117-109 and 117-109. Boxing Junkie had it closer, 115-111 for Figueroa, seven rounds to five.

Figueroa (24-1-1, 18 KOs) is now the mandatory challenger for Rey Vargas’ WBC championship.

The Texan got off to a slow start against the more athletic Filipino, who got inside, did damage and then moved out of harm’s way or held Figueroa when he tried to respond.

The holding would come back to bite Magsayo as Figuero picked up his punch output, as the former 126-pound champ was docked two points for holding.

That didn’t have a direct impact on the scoring but it removed a tactic that worked for Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs).

Figueroa seemed to outwork Magsayo down the stretch to pull away on the cards, giving him two consecutive victories at 126 after losing his 122-pound belt to Stephen Fulton Jr. by a majority decision in 2021.

You can read a full report here.

***

 

Jose Armando Resendiz stopped Jarrett Hurd after the ninth round of a scheduled 10-round 162-pound fight.

The wild, back-and-forth fight was stopped on the advice of the ring doctor because of a cut on Hurd’s upper lip.

The relentless Resendiz (14-1, 10 KOs) was ahead on the cards because he outworked Hurd (24-3, 16 KOs). Boxing Junkie had him leading 89-82 after nine rounds, eight rounds to one.

However, Hurd had many good moments in the back-and-forth war. The 24-year-old Mexican simply threw — and landed — more punches than the former unified 154-pound titleholder and was never hurt.

Hurd, who hadn’t fought for 21 months, has now lost three of his last four fights.

***

Nineteen-year-old middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia of Phoenix stopped Uruguayan contender Amilcar Vidal at 2:17 of the fourth round of a scheduled 10-rounder.

Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) and Vidal (16-1, 12 KOs) were engaged in a spirited back-and-forth fight when the former hurt the latter with a right hook and then followed with a flurry of hard, accurate punches that put Vidal down.

Referee Jack Reiss quickly assessed Vidal’s condition and stopped the fight.

“This is what everybody dreams of right here,” Garcia said. “This ain’t like a surprise. This is what we’ve worked for since I turned pro. We’re going to keep going one step at a time.”

Garcia turned pro at 16 years old in 2020.

***

Brandon Figueroa and Mark Magsayo will face off in a scheduled 12-round 126-pound fight tonight (Saturday) in Ontario, California (Showtime).

Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) is a former 122-pound beltholder who will be fighting at 126 for the second time. Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) lost his 126-pound title to Rey Vargas in his most-recent fight, in July.

Also on the card, former 154-pound titleholder Jarret Hurd (24-2, 16 KOs) will take on Jose Armando Resendiz (13-1, 9 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round 160-pound bout.

And 160-pound contender Amilcar Vidal (16-0, 12 KOs) will face Elijah García (13-0, 11 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder.

The featured bouts on the card begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The main event will take place later in show.

Boxing Junkie will post the result of the main event and featured bouts immediately after they end. Simply return to this post and refresh when the time comes.

Full coverage – a fight story, photo gallery and analysis – will follow on separate posts the day of the fight and the following day.

Enjoy the fights!

[lawrence-related id=35993,35985,35972]

Brandon Figueroa vs. Mark Magsayo: LIVE updates, results, full coverage

Brandon Figueroa vs. Mark Magsayo: LIVE updates, results and full coverage.

Brandon Figueroa defeated Mark Magsayo by a unanimous decision in a 12-round fight for the WBC’s “interim” 126-pound title Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

The official scores were 118-108, 117-109 and 117-109. Boxing Junkie had it closer, 115-111 for Figueroa, seven rounds to five.

Figueroa (24-1-1, 18 KOs) is now the mandatory challenger for Rey Vargas’ WBC championship.

The Texan got off to a slow start against the more athletic Filipino, who got inside, did damage and then moved out of harm’s way or held Figueroa when he tried to respond.

The holding would come back to bite Magsayo as Figuero picked up his punch output, as the former 126-pound champ was docked two points for holding.

That didn’t have a direct impact on the scoring but it removed a tactic that worked for Magsayo (24-2, 16 KOs).

Figueroa seemed to outwork Magsayo down the stretch to pull away on the cards, giving him two consecutive victories at 126 after losing his 122-pound belt to Stephen Fulton Jr. by a majority decision in 2021.

You can read a full report here.

***

 

Jose Armando Resendiz stopped Jarrett Hurd after the ninth round of a scheduled 10-round 162-pound fight.

The wild, back-and-forth fight was stopped on the advice of the ring doctor because of a cut on Hurd’s upper lip.

The relentless Resendiz (14-1, 10 KOs) was ahead on the cards because he outworked Hurd (24-3, 16 KOs). Boxing Junkie had him leading 89-82 after nine rounds, eight rounds to one.

However, Hurd had many good moments in the back-and-forth war. The 24-year-old Mexican simply threw — and landed — more punches than the former unified 154-pound titleholder and was never hurt.

Hurd, who hadn’t fought for 21 months, has now lost three of his last four fights.

***

Nineteen-year-old middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia of Phoenix stopped Uruguayan contender Amilcar Vidal at 2:17 of the fourth round of a scheduled 10-rounder.

Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) and Vidal (16-1, 12 KOs) were engaged in a spirited back-and-forth fight when the former hurt the latter with a right hook and then followed with a flurry of hard, accurate punches that put Vidal down.

Referee Jack Reiss quickly assessed Vidal’s condition and stopped the fight.

“This is what everybody dreams of right here,” Garcia said. “This ain’t like a surprise. This is what we’ve worked for since I turned pro. We’re going to keep going one step at a time.”

Garcia turned pro at 16 years old in 2020.

***

Brandon Figueroa and Mark Magsayo will face off in a scheduled 12-round 126-pound fight tonight (Saturday) in Ontario, California (Showtime).

Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) is a former 122-pound beltholder who will be fighting at 126 for the second time. Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) lost his 126-pound title to Rey Vargas in his most-recent fight, in July.

Also on the card, former 154-pound titleholder Jarret Hurd (24-2, 16 KOs) will take on Jose Armando Resendiz (13-1, 9 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round 160-pound bout.

And 160-pound contender Amilcar Vidal (16-0, 12 KOs) will face Elijah García (13-0, 11 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder.

The featured bouts on the card begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The main event will take place later in show.

Boxing Junkie will post the result of the main event and featured bouts immediately after they end. Simply return to this post and refresh when the time comes.

Full coverage – a fight story, photo gallery and analysis – will follow on separate posts the day of the fight and the following day.

Enjoy the fights!

[lawrence-related id=35993,35985,35972]

Brandon Figueroa vs. Mark Magsayo: date, time, how to watch, background

Brandon Figueroa vs. Mark Magsayo: date, time, how to watch, background.

Top-ranked featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa is scheduled to take on former titleholder Mark Magsayo on Saturday in Ontario, California (Showtime).

BRANDON FIGUEROA (23-1-1, 18 KOS)
VS. MARK MAGSAYO (24-1, 16 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, March 4
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Figueroa 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Jarret Hurd vs. Armando Resendiz, middleweights; Amilcar Vidal and Elijah Garcia, middleweights; Terrell Gausha vs. Brandyn Lynch, junior middleweights
  • Prediction: Figueroa KO 9
  • Background: Figueroa and Magsayo will fight for the right to become mandatory challenger to WBC 126-pound titleholder Rey Vargas, although it’s not clear whether Vargas will stay at 126. Figueroa, ranked No. 1, bounced back from his controversial majority-decision loss to Stephen Fulton in a 122-pound title-unification bout in 2021 by knocking out Carlos Castro in his 126-pound debut last July. The fit, strong Texan is a swarming volume puncher who doesn’t allow opponents room to breathe, which typically wears them down. No. 2 Magsayo recorded his break-through victory in January of last year. That’s when he defeated Gary Russell Jr. to win the WBC belt, although Russell fought with an injured shoulder. The Filipino lost his title to Vargas by a split decision in his first defense, last July. Magsayo also is a physical, offense-minded fighter, which should produce an entertaining fight.

Editor’s note: Magsayo on Friday had yet to make the 126-pound limit at the time this article was posted.

[lawrence-related id=35985,35972,35956]

Brandon Figueroa vs. Mark Magsayo: date, time, how to watch, background

Brandon Figueroa vs. Mark Magsayo: date, time, how to watch, background.

Top-ranked featherweight contender Brandon Figueroa is scheduled to take on former titleholder Mark Magsayo on Saturday in Ontario, California (Showtime).

BRANDON FIGUEROA (23-1-1, 18 KOS)
VS. MARK MAGSAYO (24-1, 16 KOS)

  • Date: Saturday, March 4
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Figueroa 2½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Jarret Hurd vs. Armando Resendiz, middleweights; Amilcar Vidal and Elijah Garcia, middleweights; Terrell Gausha vs. Brandyn Lynch, junior middleweights
  • Prediction: Figueroa KO 9
  • Background: Figueroa and Magsayo will fight for the right to become mandatory challenger to WBC 126-pound titleholder Rey Vargas, although it’s not clear whether Vargas will stay at 126. Figueroa, ranked No. 1, bounced back from his controversial majority-decision loss to Stephen Fulton in a 122-pound title-unification bout in 2021 by knocking out Carlos Castro in his 126-pound debut last July. The fit, strong Texan is a swarming volume puncher who doesn’t allow opponents room to breathe, which typically wears them down. No. 2 Magsayo recorded his break-through victory in January of last year. That’s when he defeated Gary Russell Jr. to win the WBC belt, although Russell fought with an injured shoulder. The Filipino lost his title to Vargas by a split decision in his first defense, last July. Magsayo also is a physical, offense-minded fighter, which should produce an entertaining fight.

Editor’s note: Magsayo on Friday had yet to make the 126-pound limit at the time this article was posted.

[lawrence-related id=35985,35972,35956]

Mark Magsayo makes weight on second try for bout with Brandon Figueroa

Mark Magsayo misses weight by .8 pounds for Brandon Figueroa fight but will try again,

Editor’s note: This article was updated with the result of Mark Magsayo’s second time on the scale.

Mark Magsayo on Friday afternoon made the 126-pound limit on his second try for his fight with Brandon Figueroa on Saturday in Ontario, California (Showtime).

The Filipino initially came in .8 pounds over the 126-pound limit. He weighed exactly 126 when he stepped back on the scale two hours later, which was the time limit imposed on him.

Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) made weight on his first try, coming in at 125.8.

The fight is for the WBC “interim” title, which required the fighters to weigh no more than the limit. Had Magsayo not made weight, they could’ve agreed to fight anyway with no belt on the line for Magsayo.

Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) has been a 126-pounder his entire decade-long career. He last fought in July, when he lost his world title to Rey Vargas by a split decision.

Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) moved up from 122 pounds to 126 for his most-recent fight, a sixth-round knockout of Carlos Castro on the Magsayo-Vargas card.

[lawrence-related id=35972,35956]

Mark Magsayo makes weight on second try for bout with Brandon Figueroa

Mark Magsayo misses weight by .8 pounds for Brandon Figueroa fight but will try again,

Editor’s note: This article was updated with the result of Mark Magsayo’s second time on the scale.

Mark Magsayo on Friday afternoon made the 126-pound limit on his second try for his fight with Brandon Figueroa on Saturday in Ontario, California (Showtime).

The Filipino initially came in .8 pounds over the 126-pound limit. He weighed exactly 126 when he stepped back on the scale two hours later, which was the time limit imposed on him.

Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) made weight on his first try, coming in at 125.8.

The fight is for the WBC “interim” title, which required the fighters to weigh no more than the limit. Had Magsayo not made weight, they could’ve agreed to fight anyway with no belt on the line for Magsayo.

Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) has been a 126-pounder his entire decade-long career. He last fought in July, when he lost his world title to Rey Vargas by a split decision.

Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) moved up from 122 pounds to 126 for his most-recent fight, a sixth-round knockout of Carlos Castro on the Magsayo-Vargas card.

[lawrence-related id=35972,35956]

Brandon Figueroa primed to bulldoze next opponent, Mark Magsayo

Brandon Figueroa is primed to bulldoze next opponent, Mark Magsayo, on Saturday in Ontario, California.

Brandon Figueroa’s first choice was a rematch with Stephen Fulton Jr., who narrowly outpointed him in 2021, not a meeting with Mark Magsayo.

The former 122-pound titleholder acknowledged that he’s disappointed but he sees no point in dwelling on a fight that isn’t happening. His job, he said, is to beat the men placed in front of him. If he does, he believes, bigger opportunities – maybe even a second shot at Fulton – will come.

The Magsayo fight is set for Saturday in Ontario, California (Showtime).

“I just have to keep improving, keep fighting these top level fighters and keep winning. That’s my main goal,” Figueroa told Boxing Junkie.

Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) made a strong statement in defeat against the gifted Fulton, who had to dig deep within himself to win a majority decision in the title-unification bout in Las Vegas.

The loser thought he deserved the nod in that fight, which is one reason he wants a rematch. However, he put that aside temporarily when he moved up to 126 and stopped Carlos Castro in six rounds in his most-recent fight, last July.

And, of course, his focus now is on Magsayo, the Filipino who outpointed Gary Russell Jr. to win the WBC 126-pound belt only to lose it by decision to Rey Vargas in his subsequent fight on the same card as Figueroa-Castro.

The fight on Saturday is for the WBC’s “interim” 126-pound title, which eases the pain of not getting another shot at Fulton immediately.

“I know me and Mark will make another great fight,” Figueroa said. “And if everything goes according to plan, I’ll fight Rey Vargas or whoever wants to fight and go from there. … I’m still here fighting for world titles and that’s all I can ask for.

“I just want the opportunity to show my skills, go out and do what I do best, which is to fight. I can’t wait to do so on March 4.”

Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) was impressive against Russell, although the long-reigning champion fought with an injured shoulder. The new champ then got off to a slow start against the slick Vargas and couldn’t dig himself out of the hole.

Figueroa knows Magsayo is a genuine threat, although oddsmakers have the Texan as around a 2½-1 favorite.

“I know he has power, speed, timing, he’s really good at counterpunching, he has a lot of ability,” Figueroa said. “I just have to use my brain a little bit, use my abilities to my advantage, use my distance, box him a little bit, frustrate him and do what I do so well, which is to work the body.

“… I saw some mistakes on his part [in the Vargas fight]. Maybe it just wasn’t his night. Just from what I saw he lacked some little things that I definitely can highlight on Saturday.”

Does that mean we can expect a tactical fight?

Nah. That’s not Figueroa. He’s a battering ram that pounds your door until it crashes down upon you. He acknowledged that even if he boxes at times, the bout will evolve into a firefight.

“I feel like that will happen at some point,” he said with a smile. “… My goal is to be more defensive minded. But if I do see an opening, I’ll definitely take advantage of that and use my offense. … I’m simply going to go in there and do what I do best, which is to break you down.

“Work the body, work the head, throw punches from different angles, lefty, righty. I’m an arsenal. I can’t wait to display that on Saturday.”

[lawrence-related id=35956,35945,31463,31474]

Brandon Figueroa primed to bulldoze next opponent, Mark Magsayo

Brandon Figueroa is primed to bulldoze next opponent, Mark Magsayo, on Saturday in Ontario, California.

Brandon Figueroa’s first choice was a rematch with Stephen Fulton Jr., who narrowly outpointed him in 2021, not a meeting with Mark Magsayo.

The former 122-pound titleholder acknowledged that he’s disappointed but he sees no point in dwelling on a fight that isn’t happening. His job, he said, is to beat the men placed in front of him. If he does, he believes, bigger opportunities – maybe even a second shot at Fulton – will come.

The Magsayo fight is set for Saturday in Ontario, California (Showtime).

“I just have to keep improving, keep fighting these top level fighters and keep winning. That’s my main goal,” Figueroa told Boxing Junkie.

Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) made a strong statement in defeat against the gifted Fulton, who had to dig deep within himself to win a majority decision in the title-unification bout in Las Vegas.

The loser thought he deserved the nod in that fight, which is one reason he wants a rematch. However, he put that aside temporarily when he moved up to 126 and stopped Carlos Castro in six rounds in his most-recent fight, last July.

And, of course, his focus now is on Magsayo, the Filipino who outpointed Gary Russell Jr. to win the WBC 126-pound belt only to lose it by decision to Rey Vargas in his subsequent fight on the same card as Figueroa-Castro.

The fight on Saturday is for the WBC’s “interim” 126-pound title, which eases the pain of not getting another shot at Fulton immediately.

“I know me and Mark will make another great fight,” Figueroa said. “And if everything goes according to plan, I’ll fight Rey Vargas or whoever wants to fight and go from there. … I’m still here fighting for world titles and that’s all I can ask for.

“I just want the opportunity to show my skills, go out and do what I do best, which is to fight. I can’t wait to do so on March 4.”

Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) was impressive against Russell, although the long-reigning champion fought with an injured shoulder. The new champ then got off to a slow start against the slick Vargas and couldn’t dig himself out of the hole.

Figueroa knows Magsayo is a genuine threat, although oddsmakers have the Texan as around a 2½-1 favorite.

“I know he has power, speed, timing, he’s really good at counterpunching, he has a lot of ability,” Figueroa said. “I just have to use my brain a little bit, use my abilities to my advantage, use my distance, box him a little bit, frustrate him and do what I do so well, which is to work the body.

“… I saw some mistakes on his part [in the Vargas fight]. Maybe it just wasn’t his night. Just from what I saw he lacked some little things that I definitely can highlight on Saturday.”

Does that mean we can expect a tactical fight?

Nah. That’s not Figueroa. He’s a battering ram that pounds your door until it crashes down upon you. He acknowledged that even if he boxes at times, the bout will evolve into a firefight.

“I feel like that will happen at some point,” he said with a smile. “… My goal is to be more defensive minded. But if I do see an opening, I’ll definitely take advantage of that and use my offense. … I’m simply going to go in there and do what I do best, which is to break you down.

“Work the body, work the head, throw punches from different angles, lefty, righty. I’m an arsenal. I can’t wait to display that on Saturday.”

[lawrence-related id=35956,35945,31463,31474]